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Township of Lower Saucon, PA
Northampton County
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New Laws (5) Index
The purpose of these provisions is to prevent the loss of property and life, the creation of health and safety hazards, the disruption of commerce and governmental services, the extraordinary and unnecessary expenditure of public funds for flood protection and relief, and the impairment of the tax base by:
A. 
Promoting the general health, welfare, and safety of the community.
B. 
Regulating uses, activities and land development which, acting alone or in combination with other existing or future uses, activities and land development, will cause unacceptable increases in flood heights, velocities and frequencies.
C. 
Restricting or prohibiting certain uses, activities and land development from locating within areas subject to flooding.
D. 
Requiring all uses, activities and land development that do occur in flood-prone areas to be protected and/or floodproofed against flooding and flood damage.
E. 
Minimizing the financial burden imposed on the community, its governmental bodies and individuals by floods.
F. 
Maintaining, to the maximum extent possible, the floodplain in its natural state and minimizing the removal of vegetation and compaction of soil to maximize its flood-carrying capacity and water-filtering capabilities.
G. 
Complying with the provisions of the National Flood Insurance Program and the Pennsylvania. Flood Plain Management Act (Act 1978-166).[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 32 P.S. § 679.101 et seq.
A. 
These provisions shall apply to all lands within Lower Saucon Township and shown as being located within the boundaries of any identified Flood Hazard District, as defined in Article V, which are considered as a part of the official Zoning Map.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Said map is on file in the Township offices.
B. 
The Flood Hazard District shall be an overlay to the existing zoning districts as shown on the Lower Saucon Township Zoning Map and, as such, the provisions of the Flood Hazard District shall be imposed in addition to the requirements of the underlying zoning districts. In the event that a conflict exists between the overlay and the underlying districts, the more restrictive provisions shall apply.
C. 
No development shall be undertaken; no structure or land shall hereafter be used; no structure shall be located, relocated, constructed, reconstructed, enlarged or structurally altered; and no area shall be developed, graded, filled or excavated in any Flood Hazard District except in full compliance with the terms and provisions of this chapter and any other applicable ordinances and regulations.
D. 
It shall be unlawful for any person, partnership, business or corporation to undertake, or cause to be undertaken, any construction or development anywhere within Lower Saucon Township unless a permit has been obtained from the Floodplain Administrator.
E. 
A permit shall not be required for minor repairs to existing buildings or structures.
This chapter supersedes any other conflicting provisions which may be in effect in identified floodplain areas. However, any other ordinance provisions shall remain in full force and effect to the extent that those provisions are more restrictive. If there is any conflict between any of the provisions of this chapter, the more restrictive shall apply.
If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase of the chapter shall be declared invalid for any reason whatsoever, such a decision shall not affect the remaining portions of the chapter, which shall remain in full force and effect, and for this purpose the provisions of this chapter are hereby declared to be severable.
A. 
The degree of flood protection sought by the provisions of this chapter is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on accepted engineering methods of study. Larger floods may occur or flood heights may be increased by man-made or natural causes, such as ice jams and bridge openings restricted by debris. This chapter does not imply that areas outside any identified floodplain areas, or that land uses permitted within such areas, will be free from flooding or flood damages.
B. 
This chapter shall not create liability on the part of Lower Saucon Township or any officer or employee thereof for any flood damages that result from reliance on this chapter or any administrative decision lawfully made thereunder.